A major benefactor of the church was William Bruges (1375–1450), the first Garter King of Arms who is buried in the church. St George's claims to be the original church of the Order of the Garter.[2] Originally the chancel contained a series of seven windows containing portraits of the Knights of the Garter, but little remains apart from a collection of garter panes in the north chancel window and a few fragments in the south window including the centre panes of St Catherine and St Anne.[1] The roof of the chancel with decorative angels was also the gift of Bruges. The central angels on each side carry on their shields the "Signs of the Passion", the pierced heart, and wounded hands and feet of Christ.[3]
There are numerous memorial tablets adorning the inside of the church including one commemorating Tobie Norris (d. 1626) after whom a Stamford pub is named and Blanche, Lady Wake (d. 1379). In the south aisle, there is a Hugh Arnold stained glass window (1909) to the memory of architect John Charles Traylen.
The church's tower was probably built in the early 13th century when the first rector was ordained and is mostly original except for the top section, which was rebuilt in the 17th century. The nave has some of the original 13th-century columns as well as 14th- and 15th-century expansions.[3]
The interior of the church was subject to Victorian restoration when pews were removed, a new pulpit built, and the floor was re-laid.
In 1949 Bowman & Sons supplied a George & Dragon figure by Mahomet Thomas Phillips for the church's Second World War memorial.[4][5]
Rectory
The Rectory is located at 16, St George's Square.[6] Dating from 1881, it was designed by Edward Browning. As well as being a rectory, the house is also run as a bed and breakfast.[7]
Incumbents
Name
Date
Robert Peck
1225
Thomas De Gerund
1226
Ralph De Stok
1229
Philip De Riston
1288
John De Ferriby
1301
Richard De Dunham
1340
Hugh De Oundle
1346
William Bolle
1349
Robert De Linton
1350
John De Thursby
1382
Simon De Langton
1383
William Parkyn
1396
Roger De Oversby
1402
William Dunston
1422
Robert Corby
1432
Rochard Bloston
1433
William Barton
1444
Robert Falys
1449
Thomas Carleton
1454
Richard Warmoth
1472
Thomas Jens
1499
John Forster
1504
Roger Saulle
1516
David Smyth
1526
Hugh Treton
1539
Hugh Bytton
1551
William Stafford
1554
Richard Snawdon
1602
George Moodle
1604
Simon Read
1606
Henry Cooke
1627
Matthew Greaves
1651
Richard Holland
1680
Richard Vaughan
1691
Thomas Harrison
1722
Ralph Bridmore
1737
Micheal Tyson
1743
Richard Arthur Knowles
1753
Samuel Hunt
1786
Henry Atlay
1814
Charles Atlay
1823
William Henry Charleton
1840
Edmund May
1848
Henry Bailey Browning
1862
James Frederick Camm
1890
Alfred Joseph Bull
1914
Sydney Herbert Wenham
1922
George Henry Seeley
1925
William Arthur Rees-Jones
1932
Ernest Saunders
1950
Joseph Ormston
1971
Kim Swithinbank
1990
Martyn Taylor
2003
Martyn Taylor, the current rector, served as curate at the church between 1996 and 2003 before becoming rector.[8]